Here we are again! Thanksgiving is over and its Small Business Saturday. The million dollar question is… Where on earth did the time go!!! This year has moved so fast, there’s been no time to think. One minute it was January 1, new year’s day, now we’re looking at Christmas all over again. Today, November 28th, please support small business, whether online, or brick and mortar. Entrepreneurs truly rely on you to make this a big day for them, especially with the holidays right around the corner.

There are so many ways to find beautiful items created and sold by a small business. Just walk down your local high street, there are probably quite a few there; Etsy is also a great place to find unusual gift items created by talented individuals, and also to discover items you won’t find anywhere else. Today, ditch the big box stores (trust me they’ve made their profits for the year 100 times over), and seek out a few small businesses and make an entrepreneurs day! Happy Shopping

If you’re looking for a pair of inexpensive funky leggings, these just arrived via H&M. They were $7.95 down from $17.95 {sale ends tomorrow}. The quality is lovely and the splash print looks even better in person. Shop yours today here.

Also, remember tomorrow is Small Business Saturday. Shop your independent small business retailer, whether online or brick and mortar; it’s important as it’s the beginning of the holiday shopping season, small businesses really depend on you. You’ll love the unique and one of kind items you’ll find for yourself and for holiday gifts.

I’ve been seeing a lot of coffee scrubs around the internet, especially on Instagram, the prices have ranged from $18 – $35 and a coffee scrub body-wrap can cost $100 and up if you go to a spa! Because I have an entrepreneurial spirit, I started thinking; how about I create my own (light bulb moment!) I won’t mention the 2 most popular brands floating around on Instagram here, because I’m sure you already know who they are. After a little research, and the gathering of organic ingredients, I made my own batch and coaxed some dependable and quite eager associates to be my test cases (trust me they did not need much coaxing!). After rave reviews, it turns out I just may have a really good thing here.

As you may know, caffeine, is excellent to reduce the appearance of cellulite and the other ingredients are fantastic for obtaining baby soft skin.

I’ve made a few batches and they’ve turned out really well. I’m going to experiment with different ingredients, but I’m pleased to say that I already have pre-orders, and I’m not even up and running yet!

Here’s a batch I created for my personal use, stored in my lovely “Liberty for Target” glass, which once held one of their gorgeously scented candles. {I wish Target would release another “Liberty for Target” line}.

Hello darlings! I hope you had a lovely weekend. Mine was absolutely gorgeous, fantastic weather, scoops of ice cream, with lots of sun. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the Capital Jazz Fest, but I used the time wisely by getting a lot of projects completed, that really did need my immediate attention.

One of the projects I finally completed, was to list this gorgeous hand embroidered military jacket, painstakingly hand sewn by the wonderful Ms. Althea Anderson in London. You may remember Ms. Anderson, who wrote the wonderful guest blog post: “A Floetic Night With Floetry” click here to read her superb account of what must have been a beautiful and enchanting night. As you can see, she is a woman with many talents!

You can find this unique and one of a kind jacket in the Maylana’s Closet Etsy boutique. Shop Here♥ The jacket will also be available in the “Blog Shop” within the next few days.

Do you sometimes wish you could clone yourself? Between filling orders, doing taxes, taking photos, uploading photos {and then of course my camera battery died and I didn’t charge the back up!) plus trying to write a draft on my trip to London for this blog, there is just not enough time in the day!

The image above is one of the many photos I’ve taken today, for the Maylana’s Closet Boutique. Being an entrepreneur is extremely rewarding, but there are times when we just need to grow an extra pair of hands.

Well good morning Dahhlings! I am now back in the States (I returned last Wednesday) and after resting and several days of jet lag, I’m now back to writing on my blog. Even though I’ve though tired, I’ve been busy filling orders for my crochet hats. Apparently, there was a huge demand for them while I was away, so my fingers have been very busy. I’m truly thankful to my customers and that God has blessed me with this talent.

Over the next few days I’ll be posting my birthday and travel photos of my time back home in London.

Until then, have a Fabulous, Amazing and Extraordinary Monday, I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Let’s dance because this is a brand new week; new beginnings, new experiences! After an insanely crazy, stressful and mind-blowing week last week, I’m ready to start this week off on a beautiful high and positive note.

I’m really excited about this week, my sister who is in charge of inventory, and who has been procuring some beautiful items in London for the Maylana’s Closet boutique, sent over some gorgeous pieces, which will be appearing in the Blog Shop and on www.etsy.com/shop/maylanascloset. I am looking forward to showing you what she’s found. I will be spending most of today photographing and getting ready to upload, so stay tuned.

Speaking of the Blog Shop, I am finally going to open the boutique, which has been on hold for months; watch out for its grand opening of pre-loved, new and vintage items. All transactions will be handled securely through PayPal.

To get our day started, here’s one of my favourite songs by David Bowie Let’s Dance to get you in the Monday mood.

It’s December 3, which means we are in full-blown holiday shopping mode, exactly 22 days to go!! Over the coming weeks, I’ll be posting potential gift ideas, from inexpensive to super extravagant {“Maylana’s Dream List“} What’s on your wish list for the holidays?

Well now that you’re 10 pounds heavier and possibly a few hundred to a thousand dollars lighter, due to Black Friday shopping, I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving Day; giving thanks for your family, friends and where you are at this time in your life {I hope it’s a good place}.

Personally I don’t get sucked into the Black Friday shopping hype, in my opinion its major publicity in overdrive by the big retailers; I just truly prefer to shop in the comfort of my own home online, or go out to the stores when they first open on a lovely Saturday, and not be crushed in a wave of people pushing and shoving to get that “As Advertised” item.

If you were able to procure that special item you’ve been coveting, good for you, it’s nice when you get that special something for yourself or as a gift for someone else at a really good deal.

Tomorrow, November 24 is Small Business Saturday, and we small businesses count on you, especially at this time of the year. So before you spend all of your money at the big box and high-end retailers, please give us small fry a thought, the beautiful, handmade, vintage and one of a kind items you can find from us are second to none. If you have a small business you’d love to promote, either leave the name of your business in the comments section of this blog or leave your info at my Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/maylanascloset.

I had a really productive weekend; I photographed and uploaded some new inventory to my Etsy store, drafted a few potential blog posts and was all around very productive. Having your own business, truly is a beautiful thing; lots of hard work, but totally worth it. Stay tuned to the beautiful crochet cowls coming from Maylana’s Closet and the gorgeous knits coming from Sassy Knits; my big sister’s entrepreneurial venture in London.

Speaking of big sisters, here she is being her usual fabulous and gorgeous self; seen here with the extremely talented Omar at his concert in London on Saturday might; plus another pic with Jade {Baby Spice’s hubby}. I miss my big sis and hope to see her soon. Love you Al!! Smooches!

For those of you who have been following me, the event of the season is finally here! I wrote a post back in May, titled “A Gentleman of Style“, which featured style consultant extraordinaire, James Williams II, who is the President & CEO of Washington, DC’s premier style consulting firm, A Stylish Way of Life.

Mr. Williams is holding his 2nd annual style event, which will feature bespoke tailors, custom shoemakers, jewelry and accessory designers and vendors for both men and women.

At the event, Mr. Williams will be on hand to offer free image and wardrobe consultations. This elegant style affair, will be held on Friday, September 28, from 5:00 p.m. ~ 10:00 p.m., at the infamous City Club, located at 555 13th Street, NW, Columbia Square, Washington, DC 20004. DC Fashion bloggers, here is a very chic event, you should not miss.

Mr. James A. Williams II

If you are interested in attending this stylish event, please RSVP to www.jwilliams@aswol.com by Thursday, September 20. This would also be a great opportunity for me to meet some of my fellow DC bloggers; so, if you plan to attend, once you have sent in your RSVP, please contact me at www.lana@maylana.com.